Tony Shalhoub

Emmy-winning actor Tony Shalhoub's unusually broad career included critical success in stage dramas, off-beat independent films and primetime comedy. His career grew gradually, beginning with theatrical work in Boston and New York, where he earned a Best Featured Actor Tony nomination for his role in the family drama, "Conversations with my Father" (1992). When he began to land film and television roles, Shalhoub was an instant standout in even his smallest character roles. He kept his extensive theatrical training close to his heart and stretched to create full, richly detailed characters. He already had a steady role on the sitcom "Wings" (NBC, 1992-97) when he made his first big film splash playing Primo, an Italian immigrant and restaurant owner in the acclaimed indie, "Big Night" (1996). Shalhoub's dark features led him to be cast often in "ethnic" roles but the Arab-American actor cautiously avoided playing into negative stereotypes and was especially vigilant about expanding creative opportunities for other actors of Arab descent. He achieved major strides towards that goal with his starring role on one of cable television's most popular original series, "Monk" (USA Network, 2002-09), in which he reigned as the king of subtle humor with his portrayal of an obsessive-compulsive but highly effective detective. Though he remained active on television and in film throughout the show's run, there was no doubt that "Monk" was the role of a lifetime that offered perhaps the best opportunity to display his full talents.